US Marines Clash With UK Commandos in Brutal 10 vs 10 Boxing Battle
The Royal Marines fought some of the best in the US Marine Corps in a thrilling 10v10 boxing event that finished in dramatic fashion.
As two of the most respected and toughest military forces in the world, the United Kingdom's Royal Marines and the United States Marine Corps have long enjoyed a friendly rivalry.
Back in May 2018, men from both forces tried to settle this debate as the met in the Royal Lancaster hotel in London for a boxing event that saw them off to determine who was better while raising money for the Royal Marines charity.
Despite tough performances and efforts from the Americans, it was the Royal Marines that came away as the victors in the ring, winning seven of the 11 bouts across the event and the preliminary fights.
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But that wasn't the only time that American and British Marines have laced up the gloves to face each other in the boxing ring, as one year later 10 men from each forces fought in USA, and this time it had a brutal ending.
In 2019, the United States Marine Corp (USMC) welcomed their British counterparts to a a packed-out Barber Hall at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, USA for another boxing event.
Unlike the 2018 affair, it was the Americans that established a clear lead during the event, as they headed into the penultimate night of the evening with a 5-3 lead.
British commandos Taz Campbell and Dan Ward secured wins to take the score to it 2-2 on but the Royal Marines ultimately headed into the break 4-2 down.
Matthew Garrett pulled one back for the Brits, defeating Corporal Jabrill Noel but the USMC came back strongly in bout eight as Corporal Felipe Ninofernandez took the score the 5-3 with just two fights remaining.
However, the Brits were far from out of the competition, as Joseph Leddington walked out to chants of 'Royal, Royal' and 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' before claiming a split decision victory over Corporal Oubigee.
With the score now a 5-4, all eyes were on the final bout, and Royal Marine Matthew Fenwick the US Marine Corps' Keandre Blackshire made sure to put on a show.
Just two minutes and 15 seconds into the first round, Fenwick dropped his American counterpart with a slick right hook, left hook combination.
Although Blackshire was able to get to his feet and beat the count, but the referee ultimately decided that he was not fit to continue, handing Fenwick a win by first round knockout.
With the score now at an even 5-5, the Brits retained the Zeebrugge Trophy having won it on home turf the year before.
"As I was about to walk to the ring, my coach said to me 'it’s all on you Fenners, so no pressure'." said Fenwick.
"The atmosphere was amazing, the noise from the crowd got me so motivated I knew I was going to get the knockout in the first round."
Ben McCrum